Free trains cost state around €13-15 million

The Transport, Construction and Regional Development Ministry is currently evaluating the cost to the state of operating trains free of charge for students and pensioners. "My prognosis is that it sits somewhere in the neighbourhood of €13-15 million", stated minister Roman Brecely (a Siet/Network nominee). The final results of the audit are expected within six months. Subsequently, the ministry will decide whether the state can afford such trains. "These trains have proven their worth. They're used by both students and pensioners", claimed Brecely, underlining the social and societal importance of the programme. "The question facing us now is whether the trains are worth maintaining for that amount of money". Currently the Minister is leaning more towards keeping the trains. As for the planned restoration of the InterCity (IC) category of trains, Brecely claimed that IC trains will make a comeback on the Bratislava-Košice line only if they prove that they're competitive. "They shouldn't run every day. Maybe the timetable could be adjusted to suit times of demand", said Brecely. The IC trains were scrapped in January 2016 by Brecely's predecessor Jan Počiatek (Smer-SD) because the trains were operating at a loss.